Clutch plate



G. E. POPE CLUTCH PLATE Dec. 14, 1937.

Filed Feb. 24, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 14, 1937. E, POPE 2,102,279

CLUTCH PLATE Filed Feb. 24, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J Jew? (07": Georye Z? 7- 0 2)e,

Dec. 14, 1937. G; E. POPE 2,102,279

CLUTCH PLATE Filed Feb. 24, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. l4, 1937. G. E. POPE 2,102,279

CLUTCH PLATE Filed Feb. 24, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m iiiiiwm Jizdrz for. George 231 Pope,

Patented Dec 14, 1937 UNITED STATES CLUTCH PLATE George E. Pope, Stratford, Connf, assignor to Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., Bridgeport, Court,

a corporation of Connecticut Application February 24,1937, Serial No. 127,365 12 Claims. (01. 192-107) This invention relates to clutch plates, such as used in automobiles, and more particularly to the type providing resilient or cushioned engagement between the driving and driven member.

It has long been recognized in the art to be advantageous and highly desirable to construct a clutch plate in a manner to provide a relatively resilient or cushioned engagement between the driving and driven members. Heretofore, many constructions have been proposed which were intended to impart resilient and smooth engagement to clutches, and in practically all instances such advantages attained have been at the sacrifice of efiiciency and the resultant excessive wear of the friction facings at confined areas or zones, thus, materially reducing the life of the facings.

In conventional clutch constructions in common use, in addition to beingopen to the disadvantages above mentioned, are also objectionable because of the lack; of smooth engagement, resulting in chattering.

The present invention is directed to an improved clutch plate assembly which obviates the foregoing objections and which provides one hundred (100%) percent engagement of the frictionsurface, insuring uniform wear and prolonged life of the friction facings. My improved clutch plate assembly comprises a mounting plate, a pair of parallel friction facings on opposite sides of the plate and an annular series of novel spring elements resiliently connecting the facings to the plate in spaced-apart relation; Said spring elements are formed and connected in a manner so that upon compression of the facings toward each other, one of the facings is rotated angularly a slight amount relatively to the other. This construction providing relative rotational movement of the facings thus permits picking up the torque load in a smooth manner, free from chatter, with the facings remaining'substantially parallel during engagement of the clutch while it is acquiring full torque load.

Other objects and advantages of my improved clutch plate assembly will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a face view, with parts broken away, of a clutch plate assembly embodying this in vention. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the clutch plate assembly.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, staggered sectional view through the assembly, taken at Duel-3 in Fig. 1,

showing the friction facings in inoperative position. v

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the relation of the parts in operating position.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mounting plate.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the leaf spring elements.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary face view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a section through the clutch plate assembly showing relation of the parts in inopera- I tive position.

Fig. 9.is a fragmentary face view of a further modification of this invention, and

Fig. 10 is a section through the clutch plate assembly shown in Fig. 9, showing the relation of the parts in inoperative position.

The clutch plate assembly includes a supporting hub In, which is provided with internal splines II, to permit axial nonrotative movement on a clutch shaft (not shown). The hub may be understood to/be provided with an annular flange to which is secured, ,by suitable fastening elements, a mounting plate I2, of generally circular form, provided at its outer marginal edge with a series of circumferentially spaced apart notches 14, the portions intermediate said notches, and

' designated at l5, serving as mounting fingers.

Disposed in parallel relation to, each other on opposite sides of the mounting plate .I2, are annular friction facings ll and I8 which are connected to the mounting plate by a plurality of circularlyspaced sectoral leaf springs 20. Each of said spring elements, as seen in Fig. 6, is

formed with a fiat intermediate portion 2|, provided with an aperture 22, to permit connection of the spring element, through aperture l3 of a finger l5 of the mounting plate by a rivet 23. On opposite sides of said. fiat portion 2|, are two inclined. portions 24 and 25, extending in opposite directions, and continuing into fiat portions 25 and 21, respectively, disposed substantially parallel to the intermediate flat portion 2|, and said portion 21 continues into a reversely inclined portion 28, as seen in Fig. 6.

Said portions 26 and 21 are provided with two series of apertures 29 and 30 for connection by rivets 3| and 32 respectively, to the friction facings l1 and 3. .As seen in the drawings the spring elements 20 are arranged so that the-free edge of portion 28 rests upon the surface of the portion 26 of the next adjacent spring element, and alternate spring elements are connected to the respective facings |1 and I8 by alternate pairs of rivets 3| and 32. Dueto the form of the spring elements the friction facin'gs are. re-

siliently maintained in separated relation and as the clutch is engaged the facings are resiliently compressed together and due to the fact that each spring-being connected to a finger of the mounting plateand connected at oppoly eliminating chattering and resulting in uni-'- form wear of the operatingv surfaces of said.

-facings, thus obtaining maximum life of the facings. g

It will also be apparent that asthe facings I1 and I! are moved toward each-other in clutching engagement, the springs tend to straighten out and the edge of the portion 28 of the spring slides over the portion 26= of the next adjacent spring element, thus preventing the edge of the spring from scufling or in any manner embedding itself into the friction facing, thus insuring free sliding movement of the spring elements when the clutch is engaged or disengaged. The

cushioning springs 20 are formed and spaced to '23, connecting the spring' elements 20, to the provide sufllcient support to appreciably reduce the space (distance between points of support on" friction facings) to prevent occurrenceof what. is known in the art as pattems" on facings, said patterns following the contour of the cushioning springs insofar as their lack of ability to apply uniform pressure to the facings. My novel arrangement of the springs also insures maintaining the facings in as nearly parallel'relation as possible during the engagement of the clutch while it is picking up full torque.

To facilitate assembly of the'friction facings l1 and I8, spring elements 20, and mounting 'plate l2, the facings are provided with shouldered apertmes I! for the rivets 3| and 32 and the friction facing element opposite the respective rivets are formed with apertures 38, and

said facing elements are also formed with a t ed apertures 31, registering with the rivets mounting plate I2. These apertures permit convenient assembly and riveting of the/parts together.

In the modified form of the inventiondllustrated in Figs. '37 and 8 the friction facings I! and We are connected to the mounting plate: H

by two alternate series of circumferentially spaced leaf springs 40 and H. Spring 40 includes a flat portion 42 connected by'a rivetil to a finger I! ofthe mounting plate II', and an".

' inclined portion is, continuing into a flat portion 44, while spring. includes a flat portion 4| connected by a rivet 23' to alternate fingers ll of the mounting plate, and angular-1y in-- clined portions 46 and 41 at opposite sides; the

frefiedge of portion 48 slidably the portion 44 of the, next leaf spring portion 41 continuing into a flat portion 48,

,upon which is slidably supported the edge of the portion 42 of the next addacent spring 40.

In this construction the leaf springs 40 are connected only to the friction facing .element .IO,

by two radially spaced rivets It, while the. leaf spring'elements I l are only connected to friction .faeingelementllbyapairofradiallyspaced rivets I. The

construction of the clutch assembly otherwise is the same; and results in 4s and theobtaining the same advantages, as in the con-' portions 42 of springs 40 slide over portions 4.8

of spring 4|, causing one facing to move angularly relatively to the other, resulting in a smooth cushioning engagement of the clutch as it picks upfull torque load.

Referring, now'to the modified construction shown imFigs. 9 and l0, the construction and arrangemeiit\of parts and operation of the device is identica-hto that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, except that each cf the leaf spring elements 20' is secured at its opposite ends by two radially spaced apart rivets 53\to the annular friction i' clilngj' N and it, while the intermediate portio I b of each spring 20' issecured by a. rivet 23 to a finger l5 of the mounting plate II".

It is to be understood that, if desired, I may employ in any of the constructions herein disclosed shouldered rivets, as'shown in my copending application Serial No. 137,461, filed April 17, 1937, for connecting the mounting plate and annular friction facings, for limiting the separation of the facings to a predetermined amount, and thus maintaining said facings in substantially parallel relation to each other when pressure on said facings is relieved.

Although I have herein disclosed certain specific embodiments of my invention, manifestly it is capable of further modification and rear.- rangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting the invention to the precise embodiments therein disclosed,'

causes said facings to move toward-each other for producing uniform, smooth resilient driving engagement.

2. An improved clutch plate, comprising, a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facings disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, and means for securing said elements tm-the'" plate, including a*plurality of overlapping circularly spaced sectoral leafsprings rigidly secured to said plate and to both of said facing elements, wh eby application of pressure causes said faci s to move toward each other for producing uniform, smooth resilient driving engagement.

3. An improved clutch mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facings disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, and means for securing said .elements to the plate, including a plurality of 'overlapping circularly spaced sectoral -leaf springs, each of said springs being rigidly secured to said plate adjacent the middle of its length,

plate, comprising a and secured adjacent its ends to the oppositefacingelements.

4. An improved clutch plate, comprising .a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facings disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, and means for securing said elements to the plate, including a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs, rigidly secured to said plate and to oneof said facing elements, one end of each spring being laterally oifsetanddisposed in overlapping relation to the next adjacent spring, wherebyapplication of pressure moves said facings toward each other and causes distension of said springs and relative angular movement of said facings,- with said offset end of each spring sliding along and over the next adjacent spring.

5. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facings disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sides of the plate, and means for securing said elements to the plate, including a plurality of circularly. spaced sectoral leaf springs rigidly secured to said plate and to both of said facing elements, one end of each spring being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the. next adjacent spring, whereby application of pressure moves said facings toward each other and causes distension of said springs and relative angular 'movement of said facings, with said offset end of each springsliding along and over the next adjacent spring.

6. An improved: clut h plate comprising a mounting plate, a p ofannular friction facing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, and a plurality of overlapping circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs rigidly secured. to

said plate and engaging the' adjacent faces of,

the. respective facing elements, whereby the application of pressure causes said i'acings to re- .-si1iently move toward each other for producing smooth and uniform clutch engagement.

'7. An improved clutch plate comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, and a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs rigidly securedto said plate and engaging the adjacent faces of the respective facing elements, one end of each spring-being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the end of the next adjacent spring, whereby the application of pressure causes said facings -to re-.

siliently move toward each other for producing smooth and uniform clutch engagement.

8. An improved clutch plate comprising a pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facings,

I and a plurality of overlapping circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs interposed between said facings, each of said springs having its ends connected to the opposite facing elements.-

9. An improved clutch plate comprising a pair of axially spaced apart annular friction facings, and a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs interposed between said facinss, each of said springs .having its ends connected to the 5 opposite facing elements, one end of each' spring being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the end ofthe next adjacent spring. 10. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facings disposed in juxtaposed relation on opposite sidesof the plate, and means for securing said elements to the plate, including a plurality of circularly paced sectoral leaf springs, rigidly secured to said plate and to one of said facing 1 elements, the outer edge of said plate being formed with circumferentially spaced notches to accommodate the springs for attachment to the clutch facin'gs', one end of each spring being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the next adjacent spring, whereby application of pressure moves said facings toward each other and causes distension of said springs and relative angular movement of said facings, with said offset end of each spring sliding along- 25 and over the next adjacent spring. 1

11. An improved clutch plate, comprising a mounting plate, a pair of annular friction facings disposed in. juxtaposed relation onopposite sides of the plate, and means fo'r securing said elements to the plate, including a plurality of circularly spaced sectoral leaf springs rigidly secured to said plate and to both of said facing elements, the outer edge of said plate being provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches to permit attachmentof'said springs to the respective clutch facings, one end of each spring being laterally offset and disposed in overlapping relation to the next adjacent spring, whereby application of pressure moves said facings toward each otherand causes distension of said springs and relative angular movement of said facings, with said ofl'set end. of each spring sliding along and over the next adjacent spring. 12. An improved clutch plate comprising a mounting plate, a pair of parallel annularfriction facing elements disposed on opposite sides of said plate, and overlapping resilient means connecting said facings to the mounting plate, and normally maintaining said facings in spaced relation to said plate, jsaid means being formed so that upon compression of the facing elements toward each other, one of said facing elements is moved angularly relatively to the other facing element-. w r 55 GEORGE; E. POPE. 

